Sound-cut-off device



Dec. 4 1923. 1,476,301

T. F. ROSE, JR

SOUND CUT-OFF DEVICE Filed MaI'Gh 17 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dem 4,1923.

are A E2 ma l'll/ Y T.F.ROSE,JR

soUND GUT0FF DEVICE Filed March 17. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 4 1923.

1,476,301 T. F. ROSE, JR

SOUND CUT-OFF DEVICE Filed March 17. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 4, 1923.

UNITED STATES THEODORE F. ROSE, JR., 0F COLLINGSWOOD, NEW JERSEY.

SOUND-CUT-OFF DEVICE.

Application led March 1'7, 1921.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THEoDoRE F. Rosie, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Collingswood, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sound-Cut-Of Devices, of which the following is a specification.

It is often desirable during telephone conversations to temporarily prevent the person at the opposite end of the line from hearing any talking or conversation or other sounds at the transmitting end of the line. Especially in business matters, during a telephone conversation, it is often necessary for one of the parties to ask questions or hold conversation with some one else which is not desirable for the party at the opposite end of the line to hear.

Prior to my present invention when it was desired to cut off such sound it was usually the custom to place the palm of the hand over the mouth piece of the transmitter. This means of cutting olf the sound was not satisfactory since it required that the person cutting off the sound had to remain near the telephone in order to keep his hand over the opening of the transmitter even though the situation would have been benefited if said latter person could have left theI telephone for example for the purpose of inspecting prices, letters or other papers which were located at positions remote from the telephone. Furthermore such action is crude and does not look very nice and may be misunderstood by an observer not acquainted with the reason for cutting off the sound from the transmitter.

One object of my invention is to provide improved means of simple, neat and durable construction which can be used in connection with a telephone for the purpose of preventing sound from being transmitted; said device being conveniently and easily operative Without detection by an observer.

Another object is to so construct my invention that it can be easily, quickly and cheaply attached to any known form of transmitter without requiring any extensive material change in the latter.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, I

Serial No. 452,913.

attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which- F igure 1 is a side elevation of a telephone having my invention forming a part thereof positioned relative to the transmitter,

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of a device constructed in accordance with my invention and as illustrated in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2 showing the same attached to the transmitter mouth piece,

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3 illustrating the shutter in an open position,

Figure 5 is a view of the same general character to that shown in Figure 4 illustrating the shutter in a closed position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken through my device on the line 6 6 of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken on the line 7 7 of Figure 5,

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a view of similar character to Figure 8 showing a plunger having been moved to effect the closing of the shutter,

Figure 1() is a view of similar character to Figure 9 showing the plunger having been released and automatically moved toward its normal position,

Figure 11 is a view of the same character as shown in Figure 10 with the plunger having been fully moved to its normal position from the position shown in Figure 10; the shutter remaining closed,

Figure l2 is a view showing the plunger having again been moved partway inward in its first step of a movement to effect the opening of the shutter; said shutter being automatically opened by other means when the plunger has reached this position,

Figure 18 is a section taken on the line 13 13 of FigureI 11,

Figure 14 is a view of the same general character as that shown in Figure 13 with the plunger and its pawl and spring removed, y

Figure 15 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 15 15 of Figure 6,

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view showing the plunger chamber and part ot' the interior ot' one section of the casing7 Figure 17 is a rear view ot the device ot my invention unattached from the transmitter mouth piece,

Figure 18 is a detail view ot a ring and latch which forms a part ot my invention,

Figure 19 is an interior view oit one section oit' the casing; all parts being removed with the exception ot' the ring-moving springs,

Figure 2O is a detail view ot one ot the sections of the shutter1 and Figure 21 is an enlarged view of a latch which terms a part ot my invent-ion.

Referring to the drawings, my invention includes a casing 22 made up of two ring shape sec-tions 23 and 24 which at their outer edges have opposed flanges 25 and 26 adapted to abut each other and inner circular flanges 27 and 2S which are opposed to but spaced from each other to provide sliding room for the sections 29 ot a shutter 30. Thus the iianges 27 and 28 provide an opening 31 and the space between the flanges 27 and 28 and the outer fianges 25 and. 26 provides an annular chamber 32. Stud pins 33 are spaced apart annularly .and extend across the chamber 32; said stud pins at one end being screwed into the casing section 24 and at the outer end being adapted to be engaged by nuts which nt within countersunk openings in the casing section 23, as clearly shown in Figure 7. rFliese pins 33 also term pivotal mountings for the shut-ter sections 29 as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5.

A ring 35 is mounted within the chamber 32 so as to oscillate therein; said ring having its Outer edge bearing on the inner sur-faces oit the iianges 25 and 26. The ring 35 has pins 36 spaced apart and projecting into the space in the chamber 32; said pins fitting within slots 37 in the sections 29 ot the shutter 30 at a position spaced 'trom the pins clearlyv shown in Figures 4 and 5. The sections 29 et the shutter 30 are of the shape shown in Figure 20 and are made comparatively thin so as to overlap each other and when the ring is in the position shown in Figure 4 the sections 29 of the shutter will occupy a space surrounding the opening 31 and when the ring is moved into the position shown in Figure 5, the pins 36 on the ring 35 will swing the shutter sections on their pivots 33 and the tree end portions et said shutter sections will be moved into a position intersecting the opening 31 so as to term a diaphragm; or partition; said sections being movable through the space between the opposed portions of the inner anges 27 and 28 of the sections 23 and 24 or" the casing 22.

The ring sections have extensions which revestir register with each other to provide a laterally projecting boss 38 which has a downwardly extending cavity 39 preferably ot cylindrical formation to :torni a slideway tor an enlarged part 40 of a plunger 41; said plunger having' a. stem 42 slidable through a hole 43 and at its top having' a head 44 in the term ot push button. A coiled spring 45 is mounted in the cavity 39 below the enlarged part 40 ot the plunger and serves to move the plunger upwardly. The part 40 of the plunger is biturcated and between the turcations a pawl 46 is pivotally mounted on a pin 47. This pawl has a cam shape nose 43 which projects into a recess 49 which communicates with the cavity 39 and leads inte the chamber 32 so that the outer edge` of the ring 35 forms an inner wall of the cavity. The casing 22 at one side ot the recess 49 has an angular notch 50 which is clearly shown in Figures 15 and 16.

One side ot' the ring 35 has a depression 51 in which is pivotally mounted a latch 52; said latch having a shape as shown in detail in Figure 21 so as to provide two corn paratively iiat edge surfaces 53 and and a slightly pointed end 55; the iat surfaces 53 and 54 being intercepted by a short curved surface 5G. A strip spring 57 has one end secured within a` liXed lug 53 in the chamber 32; the opposite end ot said strip spring 57 bearing against the edge surface of the latch 52. lt desired a second strip spring 59 can be employed having one end secured in a` fixed lug 50; the other end of said spring 59 extending freely in a slot G1 in the ring 35 as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5. These springs 57 and 59 serve to normally keep the ring 35 in the position shown in Figures 4 and S with the shutter sections in their open positions and with the outer end ot the spring 57 bearing against the surface 54 of the latch 52.

il. lug 62 projects t'rom the outer edge surface ot the ring 35 into the recess 49 in the path ot movement of the nose 48 olE the paw] 46 so that when the plunger is pushed inwardly the nose 48 of the pawl 46 will engage the lug 62 and partially rotate the ring 35 in one direction. luring this actien the springs 57 and 59 will be bowed and the end ot the spring 57 due to its coinciding position with the part 54 ot the edge surface ot the latch 52 as shown in Figure 12 will swing the latch into the notch 50 when the latch reaches a position opposite said notch. This movement of the ring will cause the shutter sections to be moved into the position shown in Figure 5 and thereby close the opening 31.

Upon the release ot the plunger. the spring 45 will raise the plunger and the pawl 46 will engage the part 55 of the latch 52 but owing to the pivotal connecllO tion of the pawl, the pawl will be swung on its pivot so as to pass the latch 52 without swinging the latter; it being further noted that the fact that the strong strip spring 57 is laying flat against the part 54 of the latch prevents the swinging of the latch against the tension of the spring 45 since said spring 45 will yield far more easily to the pivotal action of the pawl 46 than the spring 57 will yield to the pivotal action of the latch 52. Figure 10 shows the pawl being swung on its pivot against the action of the spring 45 caused by contact with the latch 52. Just as soon as the pawl 46 moves above the latch 52, the spring 45 will swing the pawl into its normal position as shown in F igure l1; the shut-ter remaining closed during the entire upward movement of the plunger. The shutter can be again opened by a similar downward movement of the plunger; said action being as followsz-The pawl 46 due to its abutment with the plunger at the top of its pivot on the downward movement will engage and push the latch 52 out of the notch 50 into the depression 5l of the ring 45 as shown in Figure l2. The springs 57 and 59 will then act to automatically move the ring 45 in an opposite direction and thereby effect the opening of the shutter. Since the latch 52 is thicker than the width of the recess 49,'the latch 52 during said movement of the ring will merely follow the inner wall 63 of the casing as shown in Figures 8 and 16.

The section 23 of the casing 22 has a rearwardly extending externally screw threaded flange 64 which is adapted to be screwed in the outer end portion 65 of the transmitter mouth piece 66 of a telephone as shown at 67. The interior of the flange 64 forms a continuation of the opening 3l and the opening within the mouth piece 66 of the transmitter. The sections 29 of the shutter 30 slide closely against each other so that when the shutter 30 is closed, as shown in Figure 5, it is impossible for any sound occurring on the outside of the shutter to aflect transmission of electric current through the transmitter. However, when the shutter is open a person can talk into the opening 31 and the sound waves will effect action of the transmitter so as to be audible at the opposite end of the line.

In the action of my improved device in connection with a telephone transmitter, considering that the shutter is open as shown in Figure 4, if it is desired to prevent sound from entering and effecting action of the transmitter, it is merely necessary to push the plunger downwardly and the shutter will be closed. This action can be done practically unnoticed by anyone else and when released the plunger will return to its normal position; the shutter still remaining closed. The person who closes the shutter can if necessary leave the telephone with the shutter in the closed position and when it is desired to continue the conversation it is merely necessary to again press the plunger downward to effect the opening of the shutter as previously described.

lhile 'I have described my invention as taking a particular form, it will be understood that the various parts of my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth, but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a telephone transmitter having a sound opening; a casing having an opening registering with said opening; a hutte11-movably connected to said casing; latching mechanism carried by said shutter and normally urged to engaging position; and actuating means by an operative stroke moving said shutter to closed position and causing engagement of said latching mechanism, said actuating means on its reverse stroke being yieldable to pass said latching mechanism; substantially as described.

2. The combination with a telephone transmitter having a sound opening; a casing having an opening registering with said opening; a shutter movably connected to said casing; latching mechanism carriedby said shutter and normally urged to engaging position; and actuating means by an operative stroke moving said shutter to closed position and causing engagement of said latching mechanism, said actuating means on its reverse stroke being yeldable to pass said latching mechanism, a second stroke of said actuating means releasing said latching mechanism to permit opening of said shutter; substantially as described.

3. The combination with a telephone transmitter having a sound opening of a shutter adapted to close. the opening; an actuating member; a pawl carried thereby; said pawl being yieldable in one direction but unyielding in the opposite direction; means, operatively connected with the shutter, including a member adapted to be engaged by the pawl and move the shutter into closed position and a spring-pressed latch adapted to hold the shutter in closed position such latch being disposed in the path of said pawl during the reverse movement of the actuating member the pawl yielding to pass said latch, such latch to be engaged and released by the pawl upon a second action of the actuating member; substantially as described.

4. A device of the character described including a casing having an opening and providing an annular chamber surrounding said opening; there being a transverse space communicating with said chamber and said opening; a shutter having sections inovably mounted within said chamber and adapted to be projected out of said space into said opening to intersect said opening; a ring within said chamber and connected to said sections whereby when the ring is moved in one direction the sections will be moved outwardly through said space and when moved in an opposite direction will be retracted through said space; a spring-pressed plunger; a spring for automatically moving said ring in one direction; a pawl movably connected to said plungergand a latch movably mounted on said ring,- said casing having a notch into which said latch can be swung by said first spring whereby the ring is held against rotation b y said first spring, said ring having a portion adapted to be engaged by said pawl on the plunger to move the ring against the action of said first spring when the plunger is manually operated to close said shutter, said pawl being movable against the action of the plunger spring upon the reverse movement of said plunger by engagement with said latch While within said notch whereby the pawl can pass the latch, said pawl being operative during a second manual movement of the plunger to push said latch out of said notch and permit said first spring to move the ring to effect the opening of the shutter; substantially as described.

5. A device of the character described including a casing having an opening and providing an annular chamber surrounding said opening, there being a transverse space communicating with said chamber and said opening; a shutter having sections movably mounted within said chamber and Massei adapted to be projected out of said space into said opening to intersect said opening; a ring within said chamber and connected to said sections whereby when the ring is moved in one drection the sections will be moved outwardly through said space and when moved in an opposite direction will be retracted through Said space; a spring-pressed plunger; a strip spring for automatically moving said ring in one direction; a pawl movably connected to said plunger; and a latch movably mounted on said ring, said casing having a notch into which said latch can he swung by said first spring whereby the ring is held against rotation by said rst spring, said ring having a portion adapted to be engaged by said pawl on the plunger to move the ring against the action of said first spring when the plunger is manually operated to close said shutter, said pawl being movable against the action of the plunger spring upon the reverse movement of said plunger by engagement with said latch while within said notch whereby the pawl can pass the latch, said pawl being operative during a second manual movement of the plunger to push said latch out of said notch and permit said first spring to move the ring to effect the opening of the shutter, said latch having a flat edge portion against which said strip spring engages whereby during a movement of the ring by said pawl of the plunger, the latch will be moved, due to the bowing` of said strip spring, into said notch and the latch will be held against rotation when engaged by said pawl during a reverse movement of the plunger by its spring; substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEGDORE F. ROSE, Jn.

Vitnesses ELIZABETH Ganan, CHAs. E. Po'rrs.

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